Assessment of Hazardous Materials Transportation Practices on Nigerian Roads: A Study of Petroleum Tanker Operations in Anambra State

The transportation of hazardous materials, particularly petroleum products, on Nigerian roads presents significant safety and environmental risks that require careful regulatory oversight. This study assesses the practices and safety standards governing petroleum tanker operations in Anambra State, South East Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with data collected from 90 petroleum tanker drivers, 40 depot managers, and officials of the Department of Petroleum Resources and the Federal Road Safety Corps through structured questionnaires and operational site observations. The study examines vehicle conditions, driver training levels, emergency response preparedness, signage compliance, and incident records. Findings reveal that a substantial proportion of petroleum tankers in the state lack valid roadworthiness certificates, and over 55 percent of drivers have never received formal hazardous materials transport training. Emergency response equipment such as fire extinguishers and spill containment kits is absent in over 60 percent of sampled vehicles. Incident records show an average of 14 petroleum tanker accidents per year in the state over the past three years. The study recommends mandatory hazardous materials transport certification for all tanker drivers, real-time vehicle tracking requirements, joint enforcement operations by relevant agencies, and community-level emergency response training along major tanker routes. These findings provide a foundation for improved hazardous goods transport safety management in Southern Nigeria. Keywords: hazardous materials, petroleum tanker, road safety, Anambra, transport regulation.